Wheeler Wilson treadle has me puzzled by a few things...
 

So I picked up this Wheeler Wilson treadle Monday. I really only wanted the cabinet and irons as I already have a #9 head to go in it so I have the extra head if anyone is interested...but thats not what has me puzzled.

The cabinet is not like any other treadle I have or have seen. There is no center brace on the irons. Instead there is an "arm" that reaches from the side irons around the edge of the "belly" and connects. Mine happens to be missing the screws that go there but hopefully this helps explain:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]377028[/ATTACH]

Also, there are two spots on the lid that have me baffled as well. you can see them here in this photo:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]377029[/ATTACH]
Here is a close up of the one on the left. The spot where the other one should be is on the right, but it is missing.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]377030[/ATTACH]They're just a bit bigger than a nickel, and are metal. I can't for the life of me figure out why they are there. I cant imagine someone just decided to put them there for no reason...

I have no idea what the date on this cabinet is. I haven't even begun to research that. The #9 in it has this on the plate: [ATTACH=CONFIG]377032[/ATTACH]

Do some of you smarter people have any idea?

Hi, my cabinet is a different style than yours but I do know about those 'buttons' on the lid top on my machine. One button fell out when I had the lid opened so I examined it. Mine are wood buttons and it seems as if they are shrunk due to drying out. I haven't replaced the one that fell out yet but I plan on just using wood glue some time.
Regarding the irons, I'll take a look at mine when I do down there today and see what mine are like.

BTW: I am just not able to bond with this machine. I've cleaned and oiled the machine and treadle and I still am just not liking it. It has nothing to do with the hand wheel going away from me; I am used to that due to my old White. I thought I would love it but I MUCH prefer the Singers, Davis NVF, WW8, and Willcox and Gibb treadles. Does anyone else feel the same about their WW9?

I won't admit to being "smarter" but here is my take on your cabinet.

First pic; the arched piece with the missing bolt should be pushed forward and I'll bet there is a matching hole in the frame piece just inboard of the drawers.

Second pic; the metal button in the lid mates to the metal insert on the cabinet top to prevent wear when the wood contacts wood.
The hole is for a vertical support rod to help hold the lid up when you put weight on it. Therefore preventing pulling the hinge screws out.

Anyway, that's my theory.

Joe

I'm not sure what you mean, Joe, regarding the metal buttons. When the lid opens there is nothing that it hits or touches where these buttons are. They don't go all the way through the lid, they are only on the outside surface so there's nothing for them to make contact with. The lid opens from right to left and there is nothing on the underside. I can take more photos if that would help explain.

I haven't tried to sew on her yet. I need to order more belts first. The head I plan to put in it is my other one, that I'm actually custom painting with my business logo. I intend to use it for photography shoots for my pattern covers, and if I ever decide to do shows it will be on display in my booth.

On the first photo you are correct, there is a place for it to be secured, I just need to find the screws to do that.

Hi again. Here is a photo of my buttons (the other one fell out now too!). I turned one of the buttons upside down.

My machine is newer than yours is so maybe they switched over to using wood rather than metal later.

Do you need any pictures of my irons?

Mine are definitely not wood. It also has a wooden pitman. I guess i should go look up the serial number to date this one. Do you know what the purpose of these buttons was?

Hi Jenn,

No, I don't know know what the purpose of these buttons are. They don't seem useful at all; maybe just a decoration? My pitman is wood also.

ARGH now I have to go look at my W&W.